Best Beach

CLEAN WATER: Beach goers enjoy the clean waters of Main Beach in Laguna Beach../// Additional Information - Photo by Leonard Ortiz / Orange County Register - 8/7/07 - cleanwater.0808 - Laguna is one of the cleanest beaches in the county, says an environmental group's yearly report. Alex Smith and his daughter Alexia, 5, of Baltimore, MD enjoy the clean waters of Laguna Beach's Main Beach.

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A couple relax on the sand at Main Beach in Laguna Beach Monday morning. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: hot.sg2.1112 01/12/2009 Photo by Sam Gangwer / The Orange County Register

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A pair of beach goers relax at Laguna Beach's Main Beach under overcast skies, Friday afternoon, Sept 25. On September 16, 2009 the Police Department initiated a 24-hour police presence in Heisler Park, Main Beach Park and the adjacent beaches in response to a large number of complaints regarding illegal activity. ////ADDITIONAL INFO: - 02_s.lbenforce.0925.ks - 9/25/09 - KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER -- On September 16, 2009 the Police Department initiated a 24-hour police presence in Heisler Park, Main Beach Park and the adjacent beaches in response to a large number of complaints regarding illegal activity. The following actions were taken through September 23rd: There were a total of 98 enforcement actions in the first seven days. Possession of Marijuana 10 Minor in Possession of Alcohol 6 Possession/Drinking Alcohol in Beach or Park 26 Smoking on the Beac 10

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Fishing, bike paths, food stands, shops and restaurants surround the Newport Beach Pier. Newport's older part of town is in the 92663 zone. The beach city permits leashed dogs on the beach during certain hours. Sam Szula of Huntington Beach, left, walks her dog Kadence, 6. //ADDITIONAL INFO: Need art for Lansner Real Estate centerpiece on ZIPPY's. We need to shoot Newport 92663 (older part of town Ã¢â‚¬â€�“ out the peninsula and around the bay and piers Ã¢â‚¬Â¦) real.centerpiece.0606.cy 052810 CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER - CQ's

The largest and most popular beach is Main Beach, which offers basketball and volleyball.

Seven locations have tide pools.

Why they're No. 1: Instead of long stretches of sandy beaches, Laguna Beach has isolated coves. "People like that Laguna Beach has shore breakouts," said Tom Trager, Marine Safety Captain. "Waves come up right to the beach and break right on the sand." Dogs are allowed (on a leash) all day long until June. During the summer, dogs are allowed before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. due to crowds. A note of warning: the beaches tend to get crowded and, since there are no big parking lots, finding parking can be tough.

Claim to fame: Laguna Beach is home to the Festival of Arts and the Pageant of the Masters, making it popular with artists. Art shops and summer festivals can be found near the beaches.

Fan favorite: "All the beaches are nice there, but Emerald Bay is the best. There are rocks that you can play on at both ends of the beach, a playground for kids, volleyball courts, a shower, bathroom and sand pits." – Katie Lubbers, Laguna Beach

Fun fact: Laguna Beach, according to Trager, is "ground zero for skimboarding, worldwide. There is a world contest here every June. Victoria Skimboards was founded here and named after Victoria Beach, one of the beaches."

Fire rings and barbecues are available near the Balboa Pier and at Corona del Mar State Beach.

Claim to fame: "Like the community as a whole, different areas of beaches offer slightly different atmospheres or amenities," said Tara Finnigan, Public Information Manager. Big Corona offers a wide, flat beach area and south swells. Little Corona is known for its tide pools, while West Newport and the Balboa Peninsula are popular surfing locations. Newport Beach also has two ocean piers, a harbor and a bay. "Depending on where you go, the waves vary from soft, lapping waves to large waves that the surfers love to ride," Finnigan said.

Fan favorite: "I hesitate to point this out, but the beach in Newport between the pier area and 60th Street or so has the best waves, the least annoying tourists, and you don't have to pay for parking." – Andy May, Yorba Linda

Fun fact: The Wedge, located near the entrance to Newport Harbor, is a famous bodysurfing spot. It was created when the harbor jetty was built in 1918. The waves tend to be bigger at the Wedge, drawing both surfers and bodysurfers.

The beach directly in front of the Historic District closes at 10 p.m. The rest of the beaches are open until sunset.

Claim to fame: Park Superintendent Todd Lewis said that Crystal Cove is known for its nine beach access points, a combination of sandy beaches and rocky shores. Its waves are described by lifeguard Rob Smith as "a cruising wave – it's a slow, crumbling wave." There are numerous recreational activities, including surfing, bird-watching and even plein air painting. "In a day, you can go to the beach, visit a beach cafe, take a short drive, access our back country and have totally different experiences, all in the boundaries of Crystal Cove," Lewis said.

Fun fact: A 61-year-old historic plane is crashed off Crystal Cove's coast. Submerged under 80 feet of water, the plane is accessible only to the most experienced of divers and has begun to deteriorate.

There's something about Doheny State Beach – a stretch of sand tucked between Dana Point and San Clemente – that keeps me coming back.

In thinking about my favorite beach, I thought about what area offers the most for visitors looking for a minivacation along the coast.

You can find just about everything along the 1.5-mile stretch of Doheny – whether you want to surf, camp or simply relax.

For me, it's the long, mellow longboard break that brings me back each time. During a good swell, the waves can be perfectly smooth and easy to paddle into. While the water quality here during the winter is pretty nasty, in the summer the water can be crystal-clear and pristine.

It's also my favorite place – and the only place on the sand in Orange County – to camp at the beach. Memories of gathering with friends and family around campfires while sipping wine are what makes this area so special for me. It's tough to get reservations here, but nabbing a front-row spot on the sand is like winning the lottery.

The beach – called Doho by locals – is very family friendly, offering rentals for bikes on the boardwalk, or grassy areas set up for a picnic. Volleyball courts are set out if you want to get a competitive game going. There are also plenty of wooden benches with barbecues, but get there early to reserve a spot on a busy weekend. Nearly 1.5 million people visit here each year.

I also like the proximity to the Dana Point Harbor, where beachgoers can rent everything from stand up paddleboards to Jet Skis.

During the grunion runs, it's the best place in California to watch the little fish come up to the sand to spawn.

Doheny is also famous – it's mentioned in "Surfer Joe" by the Surfaris and "Surfin' USA" by The Beach Boys.

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